CHOGM will give a clear picture of Lanka - Deputy Speaker

Hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a victory for Sri Lanka.

It provides a golden opportunity for the country to showcase its reconciliation and post war development program to the world, said CHOGM 13 Media Committee Member and Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody yesterday.

He also said at a time when various inimical forces are trying to tarnish the country's image, being able to host such a massive meeting itself is a major achievement.

Weerakkody also said the CHOGM will provide an opportunity for the Heads of State of 53 countries to witness first hand of what is genuinely happening in the country without being misled by the hearsay made by anti-Sri Lanka forces. He added that there is no other means to convince the various government in the world of the ground reality about what is happening in the country as the propaganda of those forces with vested interests is very strong. A meeting, such as, CHOGM will give a clear image about the country as over 3,000 delegates are to visit the country to participate in CHOGM and other parallel meetings. He also said it is during the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the highest number of heads of governments have visited Sri Lanka.

He added that as a Sri Lankan leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has visited the most number of countries and hosting CHOGM will strengthen the countries stature in the world.